Prices of petroleum products rise in Enugu

ENUGU — Petrol is now sold for between N125 and N130 per litre as against the government’s approved pump price of N97, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

A survey by NAN in Enugu shows that the increase in price cuts across the board for all other petroleum products. NAN also recalls that the product sold for N120 per litre in the past three months with diesel selling for between N165 and N170 per litre.

Also Kerosene is not left out as it is now sold for between N110 and N115 per litre as against the official rate of N50 per litre. Some filling stations in Enugu, including such as Bontus Oil on Presidential Road, Clemany Oil on O’Connor Road and Fontana Filling Station on Upper Presidential Road sold fuel for N130 per Litre.

File photo: Fuel scarcity

However NARCO Oil also on Presidential Road sells for N125 per litre. Meanwhile, some filling stations at Abakpa Nike, including as Oil Pipeline and AGIP both on Nike Road still sell the product for N120 per litre.

Some of the fuel attendants, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said they “bridged” (sourced directly) the product from Port Harcourt and Lagos.

They maintained that as long as Enugu depot of the NNPC which had been closed for over a decade was not reopened, prices of petroleum product would continue to rise in the South East.

However, intra-city fares remained stable during the yuletide as bus fares from Obiagu to Old Park and from Abakpa Nike to Ogbete remained at N70 per drop.

Also taxis and tricycles charge N50 and N100 per drop, respectively depending on the distance. Some motorists who spoke to NAN expressed fear that the federal government might increase the petroleum prices from next year.

“I am scared that government may increase the fuel price just as it did in 2011”, said Mr Solomon Agu, a commercial bus driver.

“I have already filled my tank in case there is hike in price of fuel. I do not want to be taken unawares again,” he said. Another driver, Mr Friday Edeh, appealed to the government not to increase the price of petroleum products in the interest of the masses.